The Hoof
It’s much more fun barefoot!
I’ve dedicated this page to helping horse owners understand hoof anatomy and the concepts behind the ideal barefoot trim. Over 20 years ago, I earned my certification in Farrier Science. Trimming a barefoot horse was not much different from a shod one back then. Over the years, that has changed dramatically. Although I practice the trade, I do not put myself in an expert category. There is so much out there to learn. And there are a lot of great teachers. The links below are a great place to start in understanding the barefoot trim. Whether you want to learn to trim your own horses or just want to understand what a good trim should look like, these articles and videos will help.
- The barefoot trim – less is more!
- Hoof Dressing – What studies show
- Barefoot Trimming – Should every horse be barefoot?
- Runaway Heels and How They Slowly Crawl Back
- Pasture Trim Versus Barefoot Trim
- Cavallo Barefoot Trim Manual
- How to Do a Barefoot Trim – Olsen Equine
- Full Barefoot Trimming Session – Shagya Arabian Filly
- Barefoot Basics – Western Horseman
- Full Barefoot Trimming Session – Flares, Frog Infection
- Demystifying Underrun Heels and Understanding the Importance of Good Structure In Horse Hooves
Saving Gretchen’s Feet
Meet Gretchen, the super adorable mini. When I first met Gretchen, she was in a large field with several miniature cows and a lama. I was handed her halter by the owner and left to my own devices to catch and trim her. After my second visit, luck would have it that I was able to take her home.
The image above is Gretchen’s feet before our first trim. Can you believe how long they are?! As I was driving up to the home, I spotted her across the field and knew I had my job cut out for me.
After about two years we have almost normal feet.
